syesmar

My last cruise on Nieuw Statendam (summer of 2019), ATK was held in the World Stage. It was packed most sessions. For whatever it’s worth, you can still access the HAL page on ATK’s website and retrieve recipes featured onboard: https://www.americastestkitchen.com/guides/america-s-test-kitchen-onboard-holland-america-line

Very different, indeed! I don’t know anyone who would equate “approximately 7 days” with only 2 days. Thanks for sharing your experience.

Agree! I never imagined that we wouldn’t have sailed since Summer of 2019! Hopefully it won’t be much longer ‘til we’re cruising again…. I’m so grateful we took advantage of 21, 22 and 28 day sailings while we had the opportunity! Our once-flexible schedule has changed and with greater professional responsibilities comes less flexibility in our schedule. Glad we did what we could, while we could! I have no regrets, only that I wish I’d taken the 21 day option for my last Norway sailing instead of 14! 😃

@DaveOKC happy for you! Might I ask: how does one get “in the system”?

I thought this post was insightful to this topic.

So, who does @cruise101 need to contact about a potential billing adjustment? And which department at HAL should future cruisers contact for clarification on this policy?

Thank you for sharing! It looks lovely. Is there any noise overflow from the World Stage, or is it fairly sound proof?

Good to know, thanks. While on more recent cruises we’ve enjoyed the Lido’s buffet that last morning, I can remember a number of sailings where having the in-room option was quite helpful, especially when we needed to be the first ones off the ship. On another note, it took us a cruise or two to realize how much food was available for breakfast in the Lido (we thought it would be too hectic, so didn’t give it much thought). We had always ordered room service at breakfast. But that changed when we finally visited the Lido during breakfast hours.😃

I love being able to order from the MDR menu. I hope that doesn’t change. I didn’t realize that had been discontinued. We used to get room service on the final morning prior to our days of eating a final breakfast in the Lido. Very convenient.

I have done several independently. I get the local bus schedule in advance for Corfu and catch a bus to the gorgeous beach at Paleokastritsa. I have also enjoyed Corfu Town independently. I’ve taken a taxi to the beach in Argostoli. There’s quite a bit within walking distance in Cartagena. I love the Roman theater and various museums/exhibits with archaeological finds. From Cadiz, we’ve taken the train to Jerez de la Frontera and then a bus or taxi to the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art. Have seen the horses in rehearsal and was also blessed to see the full show one cruise! The subject line mentioned Montenegro. We loved Kotor and explored independently. Enjoy your trip!

I have heard there are Asian dishes available off-menu upon request in the MDR that are offered in the crew’s dining hall. Anyone here inquired about them?

Is it me, or is the muesli from In Room Dining a little better than that in the Lido? I can’t quite figure out why, perhaps it’s the consistency (I think the room service muesli is thicker, while the Lido might have more liquid)?

I can log in to my account but beyond my correct name and Mariner number, it doesn’t yet have my cruise history, etc. I did notice a link for some seafood recipes I’m not sure I had previously noticed: https://www.vitalchoice.com/blog/recipes/ (direct link from HAL under Exclusive Recipes is https://www.vitalchoice.com/blog/pan-seared-sea-bass-recipe/ Information to order Vital Choice seafood: https://www.vitalchoice.com/v/holland-america )

Indeed. Thanks for the heads up. I do hope the frequent technical issues will be resolved. I honestly can’t think of a week that has passed here on the HAL forum without a new Thread about a website issue! Here’s hoping!

I know HAL’s Travel Well protocols have changed and I have heard varying reports from passengers on what was expected of them when they tested. Ranging from “here’s a test” from the medical team without any followup (and they were positive), to isolation, etc. I recall with other illnesses where passengers missed days exploring the ship some credits were given. Any idea if there is now a standard protocol across the HAL fleet?

We’ve had some good laughs at the Marriage Game and other games shows for passengers, Dancing with the Stars, the singing competitions, etc. It was usually in the Queen’s Lounge after the 8pm show, around 9-9:30pm, and sometimes in the afternoon on Sea Days. One cruise director, Eric, had several game shows featuring his hilarious alter-ego character, Dale. Another CD, Drew, regularly hosted several game shows during the cruise with various members of the staff (we had him twice). Are any of these type of shows/games done nowadays?

Appreciate those who have chimed in on this question and look forward to hearing more. Is this announced in the When & Where daily program, Navigator App, advance signage in the Lido and/or MDR, or by the Cruise Director?

@cruiseaholic78 those look delicious! Thanks for sharing!

Sharing this Thread about HAL’s new “Cake Me Away” event! https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2974734-cakes-cakes-and-more-cakes/

Yes! It was the Dutch Chocolate Extravaganza by the Lido Pool on the final “Formal Night.” The only negative is that it usually started quite late at night. I have missed those events and am so happy they’re bringing something like this back to HAL! 👏👏

Deleting my duplicate post, didn’t realize Threads had merged.😀

That just seems so unfair! Has anyone reading here successfully appealed such a scenario?

@cruisemom42 Years ago, a British Isles cruise was on sale “with air” on the Prinsendam. I, too, wasn’t interested in air—even though the sale price was already appealing—so I asked HAL what price they could give me without air. They took $600 off that sale fare per person, and it was too good of an offer to pass up. It was one of our favorite sailings ever! I would ask and see what they can do. Good luck!

Linking your other related Thread here to keep them together.

😃 The same thing happened to us. We had booked a Rodne catamaran trip from Stavanger through Lysefjord, and Pulpit Rock (seen from the boat, no hiking) was to be the highlight. The weather was okay UNTIL we were almost at Pulpit Rock and it was even foggier than your photo. Of course, it cleared up later on. Oh well! We still had a great time and would do that boat trip again. We were blessed that was our only weather hiccup the whole cruise. Good times!